The optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision. – William Arthur Ward

Sometimes, when I pick these quotes out, they say something to me. Then when they pop up during the week I wonder what the heck was I thinking about. Today is one of those times.  I just know it’s important not to get sucked into the pessimistic mindset. Don’t get stranded!

I don’t know what it is about the pessimistic mindset, but it’s so easy to fall into, and even easier to stay there.  It truly takes the same amount of energy to think in an optimistic way as it does a pessimistic way, yet so many of us tend toward the more negative side.  I wish I knew why.  I tend to focus my energies on positive thinking.

I love the image of pessimism being an island and being stranded.  It calls to mind, for me, a barren rocky outcropping surrounded by stormy seas on all sides.  No place to go, and being endlessly buffeted by rain and wind.  Who would willingly go there.  And when I think of optimism being a peninsula, I see sunny Florida on the map, or even closer to me, Cape Cod.  All summer sun and full of endless fun.  Think about it, where would you rather be?  On a nice fun, sunny peninsula, possibly visiting the house of mouse, or having a clambake, or would you rather be stranded on an island with no place to go?  It seems like a pretty simple choice to make in my mind.